Allrounders Ryan McLaren and Wayne Parnell have been named in South Africa's squad as they prepare for Tests against Australia.
The Proteas hope the two batsmen will be contenders to fill the huge void left by the retirement of Jacques Kallis.
McLaren and Parnell, who made their debuts in the same match against England in 2010, were called into South Africa's Test squad for the three-match home series against Australia.
They replaced 18-year veteran of the team Kallis, who played his final Test last month, and spinner Imran Tahir, who was dropped.
The remainder of top-ranked South Africa's squad was unchanged from the recent series win over No.2 India, with wicketkeeper-batsman AB de Villiers picked despite surgery to remove a plate in his left hand just over two weeks ago.
Fast bowler Dale Steyn was in despite a slight cloud over his fitness. Steyn fractured a rib in the second test against India in late December. The Proteas say they expected both players to be fit for the mouth-watering series against high-flying Australia.
The bulk of Australia's squad was expected to arrive in South Africa on Wednesday following their 5-0 drubbing of England in the Ashes.
The first Test at Centurion starts February 12, with the teams also meeting in Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.
South Africa hasn't lost a Test series in five years but its last defeat was at home to Australia and this Australian visit is expected to be a stern challenge to South Africa's long unbeaten run.
"A lot of teams in test cricket are having success in their own backyard, but the greatest challenge is to be able to win away from home," Australia captain Michael Clarke said as his team left home for South Africa.
"That's what we face right now."
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